Faith is the first step to success. Without it, you will never succeed.” Unknown

 

From the desk of Richard Du, Founder and Chairman of SANTOS Holdings:

 

 

As Founder and Chairman of SANTOS Holdings, I frequently reflect on the connection between faith and the business world. Even with the market’s uncertainty, faith goes beyond blind belief. Being vigilant about our office work environment, I noticed that the team atmosphere was off. Low morale and gloom pervaded everything. Because of a slump in the real estate market, the office atmosphere was lifeless and dull.

 

Being the leader of SANTOS Holdings, I realized my team’s morale needed a boost. Good leaders are always present, transparent, and aware of their environment. Leading a team means ensuring its efficient operation and high morale. Trust, transparency, collaboration, and loyalty are essential leadership qualities that form the foundation of a successful environment.

 

These factors are all crucial for building trust, which forms the foundation of a positive and productive team environment. Leaders who lack an understanding of trust and transparency can easily encounter problems. It is imperative for leaders to cultivate a psychologically safe atmosphere within their teams. People who feel supported are more likely to share their struggles and mistakes.

 

With team morale plummeting and market conditions challenging, I had to boost confidence and trust. I gathered the team in the conference room and announced, “Alright team! Be strong and have faith, and I promise we’ll have fun while we’re doing it.”

 

As proof, I highlighted SANTOS Holdings’ latest initiative: “Faith Fridays.” Every Friday, the team would get together for an open and honest sharing of stories and experiences. In those sessions, we heard many personal stories from team members, covering resilience, success, and failures in the marketplace.

 

Those discussions soon reminded us that faith and trust are integral business practices, not simply feelings. Transparency was key for me as a leader, so I openly discussed my first real estate listing. “I believed my first listing would be a gold mine. It turned out to be more of a ‘mind your own business’ situation.” During my first listing, I shared how faith was also learning with my team. “In Manhattan, with real estate, if you lose faith in a property, have faith because it may just be the one that surprises you most!”

 

Faith in business and the process is key to success in both business and life, regardless of setbacks. Faith Fridays fostered a stronger team spirit as we shared our successes and vulnerabilities. This was a giant leap for SANTOS Holdings. Seeing the power of what we were doing, we created a “Faith Board.” Across the board, we pinned positive affirmations, client testimonials, and pictures of properties that once seemed impossible to sell but ended up being sold.

 

Faith Fridays and Our Faith Board had a hugely beneficial effect on the atmosphere in our office. They significantly raised team morale. The team showed its dedication by readily taking risks and tackling new challenges. We celebrated every small victory each week—a new listing, a successful negotiation, or anything that pushed us closer to our goal. Working together, the team shared ideas, brainstormed, and encouraged one another.

 

Thanks to faith, trust, and teamwork, SANTOS Holdings overcame challenges and emerged stronger. The real estate market fluctuates wildly, so faith and trust aren’t just hopes—they’re active choices that help us support each other and share a common goal. I frequently remind my team that faith, like a sound investment, yields unexpected and substantial returns over time; SANTOS Holdings remains dedicated to fostering faith despite the challenges of Manhattan’s real estate market.

 

Even difficult deals can turn into successful outcomes through shared belief and collaboration. Building trust and faith within our teams is essential for effective leadership. By empowering each other’s beliefs, we can overcome challenges and find opportunities in obstacles. Reflecting this unwavering belief, SANTOS Holdings continues its success, highlighting faith as a crucial asset in the unpredictable real estate world.


If you are interested in learning more about SANTOS Holdings’ offerings, contact us today to explore the immense possibilities.